Los Angeles Jewish Home

Heaven is under our feet
     as well
As over our heads  ~Thoreau


At the 2012 Largest Mother's Day Celebration in the World, Jewish Home resident Ella Kalan, 101, read a touching poem that melted the hearts of everyone there. We just had to share.

Spring at the Home

Slowly, I walk along the rainbow colored
     garden paths
Still sparkling with early morning dew
My heart leaps with joy and
     AWE—
At the magical sights I view.

The trees are dripping pink blossoms on
     growing things below
The roses are all in full bloom
     bursting with love
          and perfrume
     setting one's soul aglow.

Intoxicated with the fragrance
     The bees are buzzing wildly
          among the purple lavenders
          they kiss and sip the nectar
               like greedy scavengers.

I watch a pair of humming birds
     dancing from tree to tree
     They do some pirouettes - then fly free
          to rest at the bubbling fountain
               nearby

"Tis there - behind the fountains rocks -
          I spy
     some frightened little dandelions.
I hold my breath and look up at the sky
     As the gardener passes them by
Among the fleecy clouds I see
          God smile

~Ella Kalan

Labels: Centenarian, Ella Kalan, Jewish Home Residents, Largest Mother's Day Celebration in the World, Mother's Day, Poems, Poetry, Spring, Thoreau

A Poem by Ellis Simon, 87
Jewish Home Resident

To all the ladies at the JHA
The time has come for you to say
Come on guys, get off your duff
Then take our hand, as you huff and puff

When you take our hand, don't squeeze too much
The arthritis we have responds to touch
The tenderness you show, helps ease the pain
As we walk down the hall, you, me, and my cane

We get to the library, and sit side by side
As the real good feelings a try to hide
You whisper in my ear, but your words seem to fade
The battery went out in my hearing aid

You ask me to dance, I'm happy as can be
When you take me in your arms, it's heaven for me
You start to cough, and stick out your tongue
I guess it's too much for your one lung

We both get up, and go back to my room
You give me a peck, and my heart goes boom
You walk down the hall, I watch as you go
You say, "I'm a very happy lady, I now have a beau!"

Though i joke around, this is my wish for all
Then we would all be happy, and have a ball
Then our troubles would disappear
And everyone would be happy, I say hear, hear.

Labels: Aging, For the Spirit, Original, Poems, Residents, Seniors, Simon, Sweethearts Day, Valentine's Day

By Ellis Simon, 87...a ten year resident


The Jewish Home is my home and yours
So pick up the phone & arrange the tours
All the residents have a smile on their face
We're the luckiest people in the whole human race


The activities here, and there are quite a few
With over 300 a month, you'll find lots to do
The food's delicious, and plenty of it
You'll like it so much, you'll eat every bit


The doctors here are really the best
And our medical department will pass any test
The nurses, you'll love them, they are really great
And the best part, there's rarely a wait


The friends that you make, will forever be true
You'll love them, and they'll love you
Whether you're seventy, or maybe ninety seven
This is the closest that you'll ever get to Heaven


So give us a call, and get all the news
Then make your move, and then no more blues
To make you happy is the war we are waging
So come on in to the Jewish Home for the Aging

Labels: Activities, Aging, Around the Home, doctors, food, Friends, Friendship, Jewish Home, medical staff, nurses, Poems, Poetry, Residents, Simon, tours